Fishing rod holder

Abstract

An integral one-piece fishing rod holder having a Y-shaped configuration formed by an elongated stake adapted to be inserted generally vertically into the ground and a pair of arms extending upwardly outwardly from a junction zone formed by the upper end of the stake and arms. An elongated vertically extending slot is formed in the junction zone of the Y-shaped holder for receiving and supporting a portion of a fishing rod therein. A curved passage is formed in the junction zone and extends partially along one of the arms and communicates with the elongated slot below the top of the slot. The passage and slot form a downwardly extending projection in the junction zone which retains the rod within the slot if a force is applied to the fishing rod when the rod is unattended. A curved notch is formed in the top edge of the junction zone to provide a casual support for the fishing rod when attended by a fisherman. A hole is formed in the junction zone beneath the elongated slot for attachment of a fish stringer or net.

I claim: 
     
       1. A fishing rod holder including: (a) an integral one-piece Y-shaped member having an elongated stake at one end for mounting said member in a generally vertical position and a pair of arms extending upwardly outwardly from an opposite end of said member, said stake and arms merging into and forming a junction zone; and   (b) slot means formed in the junction zone of the Y-shaped member for receiving and supporting a portion of a fishing rod therein, said slot means forming retaining means in said junction zone whereby a fishing rod when inserted into the slot means and supported by the junction zone is prevented by the retaining means from being prematurely dislodged from the holder by an unexpected force on the fishing pole, said slot means includes a vertically extending slot and a downwardly inwardly extending passage communicating with the slot beneath an upper end thereof, with the slot and passage forming a projection which provides the rod retaining means.   
     
     
       2. The holder defined in claim 1 in which the Y-shaped member is molded of plastic. 
     
     
       3. The holder defined in claim 1 in which a hole is formed transversely through the junction zone beneath the slot means to provide an attachment location for a fish stringer or net. 
     
     
       4. The holder defined in claim 1 in which the stake has a generally T-shaped horizontal cross-sectional configuration. 
     
     
       5. The holder defined in claim 1 in which the stake has a lower pointed end for facilitating the insertion of the rod holder into the ground. 
     
     
       6. The holder defined in claim 1 in which the junction zone has a horizontal upper edge extending between the arms; and in which a curved notch is formed in said horizontal upper edge to provide an alternate support for a portion of a fishing rod. 
     
     
       7. The holder defined in claim 1 in which the vertical height of the Y-shaped member is approximately 18 inches and the horizontal spacing between the outer end of the arms is 71/2 inches. 
     
     
       8. The holder defined in claim 1 in which the arms form an included angle of approximately 55° therebetween. 
     
     
       9. The holder defined in claim 1 in which the curved passage extends partially along one of the arms and into the junction zone for communicating with the elongated slot. 
     
     
       10. The holder defined in claim 1 in which the slot is approximately 2 inches in length. 
     
     
       11. The holder defined in claim 1 in which the bottom end of the slot is beveled.